Chicago accepts video 9-1-1 calls from cell phones
Chicago has become the first city to allow citizens calling 9-1-1 to send photos and videos of the incidents from their cell phones.
All the images are sent to the police department’s crime prevention information center, which reviews them to see whether they should be distributed to first responders or detectives investigating the incident.
“No other city does that right now,” said Jose Santiago, executive director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication.
So far, the city has received more than 40 images from callers. Most of them show property damage, such as a door that’s been kicked in by burglars, Drew said.
Drew refused to release any of the photos because he said it could endanger the senders, who are either victims or witnesses.
Santiago is warning citizens not to jeopardize themselves by trying to take pictures of shootings in progress or other violence. A call or text message works just as well in those situations, he said.
Drew said the images can be used not only by police, but also firefighters and other first responders. All the images received so far have been law-enforcement related, Drew said.
Drew emphasized that anyone providing an image to the 9-1-1 center can remain anonymous.
All the images are sent to the police department’s crime prevention information center, which reviews them to see whether they should be distributed to first responders or detectives investigating the incident.
“No other city does that right now,” said Jose Santiago, executive director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communication.
So far, the city has received more than 40 images from callers. Most of them show property damage, such as a door that’s been kicked in by burglars, Drew said.
Drew refused to release any of the photos because he said it could endanger the senders, who are either victims or witnesses.
Santiago is warning citizens not to jeopardize themselves by trying to take pictures of shootings in progress or other violence. A call or text message works just as well in those situations, he said.
Drew said the images can be used not only by police, but also firefighters and other first responders. All the images received so far have been law-enforcement related, Drew said.
Drew emphasized that anyone providing an image to the 9-1-1 center can remain anonymous.
